West Virginia offers a diverse array of outdoor recreation opportunities that make it a top destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. From world-class whitewater rafting on the New and Gauley Rivers to scenic hiking and rock climbing in the iconic New River Gorge National Park, the Mountain State delivers thrilling experiences year-round. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, camping, mountain biking, and winter sports in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. With its lush forests, winding rivers, and rich heritage, West Virginia offers a perfect setting for families, solo travelers, and outdoor enthusiasts seeking to explore breathtaking natural landscapes. Be sure to visit our guide for information about indoor and outdoor recreation in West Virginia.
A new whitewater run that opens to commercial rafting in 2019 may not be a game changer, but it will certainly enhance the game in one of the most popular rafting destinations in the eastern U.S., says a West Virginia tourism industry official. The 5.3-mile run through a spectacular section of the New River Gorge … Read more
In an effort to encourage families and new anglers to enjoy fishing this spring, the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources is publishing the locations of 104 trout stockings scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays. Locations were selected based on proximity to state parks and adequate access points and to accommodate anglers and hatchery staff, according to Stephen … Read more
Sign up for the West Virginia Explorer newsletter by February 28, 2018, and be entered to win a whitewater rafting adventure trip for two in West Virginia with River Expeditions. The drawing is one of many annual drawings offered to recipients of the West Virginia Explorer newsletter, according to publisher and editor-in-chief David Sibray. “Once you’re … Read more
West Virginia river outfitters in 2017 recovered from two years of low numbers and posted statewide gains of 5,000 river visits, according to a spokesman for Adventures on the Gorge, one of the state’s chief outfitters. The W.Va. Department of Natural Resources, which compiles a total number of annual river users, primarily rafters and anglers, … Read more
Hunters in West Virginia harvested 3,160 black bears during the combined 2017 archery and firearms seasons, which is the second highest recorded bear kill in state history. Due to more abundant mast production in 2017, the Division of Natural Resources expected a decrease in the archery harvest and an increase in the December firearms harvest … Read more
Preliminary counts indicate hunters harvested 108,160 white-tailed deer in West Virginia during the 2017 hunting seasons. The 2017 harvest was four percent below the 2016 harvest of 112,384 deer and 15 percent below the five-year average of 127,803, according to a report published today by the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. A breakdown of the … Read more
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is requesting original color wildlife paintings for the 2019 edition of the award-winning West Virginia Wildlife Calendar. The deadline for submitting artwork is Feb. 19, 2018. Paintings may depict popular game and fish species, or feature the state’s other wildlife, such as snakes, frogs, turtles, salamanders, bats, songbirds, … Read more
Rafters and kayakers have been provided another 5.3 miles of whitewater to run in southern West Virginia where an agreement has been reached to partly restore flow to a stretch of the New River downstream of its world-renowned whitewater section. Proponents of the effort to open one of the most spectacular reaches of the New … Read more
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will start its 2018 trout stocking season January 2, though two stocking locales will be added to the schedule and one will be removed, according to Paul Johansen, chief of the division’s wildlife resources section. The 2018 stocking schedule contains several changes, Johansen said. The Greenbrier River in Pocahontas … Read more
For the second consecutive year, Canaan Valley Resort ski area this week swept Liftopia’s “Best in Snow” awards in the Southeast region of the U.S., which includes resorts in West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. The resort was named No. 1 in the Beginner Friendly, Most Challenging, Family Friendly, Snow Consistency and Quality, Least … Read more
